Entertain

Entertain
Entertain En`ter*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Entertained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Entertaining}.] [F. entretenir; entre between (L. inter) + tenir to hold, L. tenere. See {Tenable}.] 1. To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep. [1913 Webster]

You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest. [1913 Webster]

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained unawares. --Heb. xiii. 2. [1913 Webster]

3. To engage the attention of agreeably; to amuse with that which makes the time pass pleasantly; to divert; as, to entertain friends with conversation, etc. [1913 Webster]

The weary time she can not entertain. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. To give reception to; to receive, in general; to receive and take into consideration; to admit, treat, or make use of; as, to entertain a proposal. [1913 Webster]

I am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

A rumor gained ground, -- and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people. --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]

5. To meet or encounter, as an enemy. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments. [1913 Webster]

7. To lead on; to bring along; to introduce. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

To baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy Jesus. --Jer. Taylor.

Syn: To amuse; divert; maintain. See {Amuse}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • entertain — [v1] amuse absorb, beguile, captivate, charm, cheer, comfort, crack up*, delight, distract, divert, ecstasize, elate, engross, enliven, enthrall, gladden, grab, gratify, humor, indulge, inspire, inspirit, interest, knock dead*, make merry, occupy …   New thesaurus

  • entertain — [ent΄ər tān′] vt. [ME entretinen < OFr entretenir, to maintain, hold together < entre (L inter), between + tenir < L tenere, to hold: see THIN] 1. Archaic to keep up; maintain 2. to hold the interest of and give pleasure to; divert;… …   English World dictionary

  • Entertain — En ter*tain , v. i. To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Entertain — En ter*tain , n. [Cf. F. entretien, fr. entretenir.] Entertainment. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • entertain — index engage (involve), interest, occupy (engage), receive (permit to enter), treat (process) …   Law dictionary

  • entertain — UK US /ˌentəˈteɪn/ verb [I or T] ► to take customers or possible customers out to restaurants, bars, theatres, etc. as a way of encouraging them to do business with you: »Employees can use their expense accounts for entertaining a client …   Financial and business terms

  • entertain — late 15c., to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind, from M.Fr. entretenir (12c.), from O.Fr. entretenir hold together, stick together, support, from entre among (from L. inter; see INTER (Cf. inter )) + tenir to hold… …   Etymology dictionary

  • entertain — 1 *harbor, shelter, lodge, house, board Analogous words: *receive, admit: cultivate, cherish, foster (see NURSE): *feed, nourish 2 divert, *amuse, recreate Analogous words: * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • entertain — ► VERB 1) provide with amusement or enjoyment. 2) show hospitality to. 3) give attention or consideration to. ORIGIN originally in the sense «maintain, continue»: from French entretenir, from Latin tenere to hold …   English terms dictionary

  • entertain — [[t]e̱ntə(r)te͟ɪn[/t]] ♦♦♦ entertains, entertaining, entertained 1) VERB If a performer, performance, or activity entertains you, it amuses you, interests you, or gives you pleasure. [V n] ...games and ideas to entertain children... [V n] They… …   English dictionary

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